I am running the latest skype for linux 1.3.0.53 under RedHat EL4 (using the Fedora Core 3 version). I am using Alsa as the output layer (alsa version 1.0.6 that comes with RHEL4).
Skype seems to run into a problem after sitting idle in the system tray for a while. It seems to only happen if a call has been made (successfully with no audio problems) and if skype is kept running after that. After idling for a bit, when I then try to make a call, I get a continous stream of error messages of the type:
ALSA lib pcm_hw.c:521:(snd_pcm_hw_prepare) SNDRV_PCM_IOCTL_PREPARE failed: Device or resource busy
This error messages keep flowing until I end the call. Furthermore, from then on, they always happen whenever I try to make a call (until I shut down and restart Skype at which point all is fine).
I checked and the device is definitely not in use by any other application, I disabled all other sound-using apps and only run Skype - still the same. Furthermore, the call actually works somehow, i.e. the device is usable by Skype and not actually busy.
While the error messages are flowing, the Skype call actually seems to work more or less normally. The only problem is that dumping error messages with no end puts a high load on the system (stderr stream) such that sometimes sound starts stuttering.
I think this is consistent with stuttering other people are experiencing after having skype running for longer periods. Do others also see the error messages in the console/logs?
Basically, there seems to be a problem with Skype and alsa. Not sure whether it's an alsa problem but other apps run just fine.